The
Engineer may obtain random samples from the application equipment. Furnish the
manufacturer’s identification information for the sampled materials. The
Department will test the quality assurance sample for conformance to the
manufacturer’s production ranges. Samples not meeting the manufacturer’s
production ranges will require the Contractor to re-apply, at his expense, any
markings using that sample. All other untested batches will become not approved
materials and will either require testing or re-application.

Do
not apply material that has exceeded the manufacturer’s shelf life. Do not use
glass beads that are wet.

648.03 Equipment. Equip all spray
thermoplastic pavement marking trucks for center line, lane line and edge line
markings with a computerized Data Logging System (DLS),
including a cab mounted display which shows the actual bead application rate.
For center line, lane line and edge line markings applied with truck-mounted
equipment, when the length of marking exceeds 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of continuous
line equivalent, document the following with the DLS:

4.
Measure and record spray thermoplastic temperature in the kettle and at the
point of application.

Record
as a separate DLS report line entry the above information for each
route section painted, when the length of marking exceeds 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of
continuous line equivalent. A route section is defined as one direction of a
contiguous section of highway (without breaks) with the same route number
designation.

If
the DLS equipment fails finish that day’s work only
and resume when the DLS equipment is working.

The
Department will provide a standard
DLS spreadsheet, which prescribes the correct DLS report format and content prior to beginning of work.

Each
DLS shall have an annual calibration of all
mechanical and electrical components and its software function and output
confirmed by the DLS manufacturer or their designated
representative. Evidence of the annual calibration is shown by carrying a
signed and dated stamp or seal affixed to the inside of the driver’s door of
each striper.

Use
application equipment that includes a kettle for melting the spray
thermoplastic and maintaining it at the proper temperature. Equip the kettle
with a thermostat to control the temperature of the melted spray thermoplastic
and to prevent overheating. Use equipment that continuously mixes and agitates
the molten spray thermoplastic. Ensure that the parts of the equipment that
convey the spray thermoplastic from the kettle to the application point
maintain it at the required temperature.

Attach
an automatic bead dispenser to the equipment so that the beads are immediately
and uniformly dispensed over the marking surface. Equip the bead dispenser with
an automatic cut-off control synchronized with the cut-off of the spray
thermoplastic material.

Ensure
that the application equipment applies lines with a square end and can apply
broken lines. Furnish application equipment for applying spray thermoplastic
markings that produces different widths of lines.

Use
equipment that ensures uniformity in the thickness and width of lines. Use
equipment that forms lines 8 inches (200 mm) wide or less by one application
pass.

648.04 Surface Preparation. Before applying
spray thermoplastic the pavement surfaces must be clean, dust free, and
completely dry. Test for moisture using the following test procedures, if
needed as directed by the Engineer:

2.
After 15 minutes examine the side of the sheet facing the road surface.

3.
If more than a sparse amount of moisture is present, do not apply spray
thermoplastic.

Apply
spray thermoplastic to new pavement, over existing thermoplastic, or over one
application of paint. Do not apply spray thermoplastic over epoxy, polyester,
or preformed markings. Remove poorly adhering, flaking and loose markings and
curing compounds. Use an air blast, or manual or mechanical broom to prepare
surfaces. When more effort is needed to obtain a surface free from adhering,
flaking and loose markings and curing compounds, use water blasting or
mechanical removal.

648.05 Application. If applying
spray thermoplastic to pavements that are less than six months old, ensure that
both the pavement surface and the ambient air temperature at the time of
application are not less than 50 °F (10 °C) and rising. However, if applying
thermoplastic to pavements that are older than a year, ensure that both the
pavement surface and the ambient air temperature at the time of application are
not less than 70 °F (21 °C) and rising. Ensure that the temperature of spray
thermoplastic at the point of application is at least 375 °F (191 °C) and not
more than 425 °F (218 °C).

Apply
spray thermoplastic at a thickness of 45 mil (1.15 mm) at the
following rates:

45Mil

Thickness

Line
width (inch)

4

6

8

12

Pounds
per Mile of Line

Solid
Line

762-886

1143-1329

1524-1772

2286-2658

Broken
or Dotted Line

191-222

286-332

381-443

572-666

1.15 mm

Thickness

Line Width
(mm)

100

150

200

300

Kilogram
per Kilometer of Line

Solid
Line

209-242

313-364

417-485

626-728

Broken
or Dotted Line

52-61

79-92

104-121

158-184

Mechanically
apply glass beads to the wet spray thermoplastic surface so that the beads are
embedded and retained and provide uniform retroreflectivity
in the surface. Apply beads at a minimum rate of 10 pounds per 100 square feet (4.9
kg per 10 m˛) of spray thermoplastic surface area.

Use
primer when required by the manufacturer. Apply primer according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations.

For
each route section on the DLS report, the Engineer will compute the amount of
spray thermoplastic marking material and glass beads applied. The Department
will reduce the contract price in direct proportion to the percent of
deficiency of spray thermoplastic marking material or glass beads as specified
in 648.05, up to 20 percent for each material
deficiency. The Department will only use the greater deficiency of marking
material or glass beads to compute the deduction.

If
the deficiency of spray thermoplastic marking material or glass beads is 20
percent or more, the Department will consider the work unsatisfactory. In
addition, the Engineer will consider as unsatisfactory materials applied
outside the temperature or application requirements in 648.05 without written approval of the Engineer.
Replace spray thermoplastic markings and glass beads in all sections determined
to be unsatisfactory by entirely removing the unsatisfactory spray
thermoplastic material by grinding as per 641.10
and then reapplying at the full thickness specified in 648.05.

Furnish
the Engineer daily, biweekly and final DLS reports conforming to 648.03,
and additional reports indicating material type and quantities in pounds
(kilograms) of spray thermoplastic materials used, as per 641.04.

648.06 Basis of Payment. The Department
will not pay for any spray thermoplastic lines that do not meet the required
thickness. The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract
prices, or prices adjusted according to 648.05,
measured according to 641.12, with the
provisions specified in 641.13, and as follows: